Electric coupling for railway vehicles



H. Ef VAN DoRN' ELECTRIC COUPLING FOR RAILWAY VEHIQLBS Jan. 19 1926.

' origina Filed Feb. 1'1, 1920 ATTORNEYS Jm. '19 1192s.

`ll. E. VAN DORN ELECTRIC COUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES :original Filed Feb. 11 192 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 19,1926, u l1,570,105 v H. E. VAN DoRN ELECTRIC COUPLING FOR RAILWAYZVHICLES 'cs-Sheet 5' 4 Original Fil 'i 6A INVENTOR ATroRNE H.` E. VAN DoRN lmscz'rluc c'oUPLI'nG Fon RAILWAY vsnrcmas origina Filed Feb. 11 1920 6 sheets-sheet e INVENTOR Y azof/L ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 19, 1926.-*

UNITED STATES HERBERT E. VAN DOEN, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

y ELECTRIC COUPLING FOR-RAILWAY VEHICLES.

Application filed February 11, 1920, Serial No. 357,779. Renewed July 9,1925.

To allaoaom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. vVAN Donn, a citizen of the United States, residincr at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented acertainnew and useful Improvement in Electric Couplings for Railway Vehicles, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as` will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this speciication.

My invention has for its object to produce a simple, novel and compact device 'for connecting together any desired number of separate circuits on one vehicle' with the corresponding circuits on another regardless of which end ofeither vehicle is directed toward the other vehicle.

Y A further object of the present invention is to produce a simple, novel and com- `pact electric coupler which normally, when l not in use, vwill be sealed against the entrance of dirt and water without the use of doors or the like which must be opened or removed 'at the time of making a coupling connection. v

A further object of the present inven- 'tion is to produce a simple and novel pneu- .':natically-controlled electric coupler which will in turn control the releasing means for the corresponding car or vehicle coupler so as to prevent the latter from being released until the electric coupler is placed in the pro )er condition for uncoupling. Y

, e various features of novelty whereby my invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed ont with particularity in the claims; but, for a full understanding of my invention and of its vobjects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conncction with the accompanying drawings, wherein; v

Figure l is a side elevation of a fragment 'of a car coupler having attached theretoon'e of my improved electric couplers;

A Fi 2 is a horizontal section, on a larger f scale than Fig. l, taken through the electric coupler near the top thereof, approximately on line 9.-2 of Fig, $135 Fig. 3 is a section-on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

being a vertical 'longitudinal section through the coupler, only tli'ose elements.

lying substantially in the plane of the section being shown;

Fig. 4: is a section taken approximately I on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, only those elements lying substantially in the plane lof the section being shown; Y

Fig. 5 is a section taken approximately on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 6 is a lan View ofthe locking dog for the Inova le element of the electric coupler, together with its immediate supporting means;

Fig. 7 is a rear end View of the coupler.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section on the same plane and of the same nature as Fig. 4, throughltwo couplers in coupled relation;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing two couplers in coupled relation as in Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a transverse section through a pair of couplers in a plane just above the stationary contacts; and

Fig. 11 is a vertical longitudinal section through the meeting ends of two couplers containing a modification of the stationary contact strips.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 1 represents a car' coupler having an unlocking cylinder, 2; this being any usual or suitable construction in which, when air is admitted to the cylinder, the car coupler is unlocked or released. Secured underneath the car coupler is an electric coupler, 3, so

positioned that when two car couplers are interlocked with each other', the two corresponding electric couplers will also be disposed in operative relation with respect to each other. Reference now being had to all of the figures of the drawings, it will be seen that each electric coupler comprises a closed casing or housing, 4, within which are located contact devices and operating mechanism therefor. The coupler may bel designed to connect together any desired number of yleads or terminals on one car to those on another. In the arrangement shown, as best seen in Fig. 10, provision is made for sixteen separate connections or circuits. Each coupleris therefore provided with sixteen stationary contacts, 5, extending in a row across the same and with a second set, 6, arranged vin another row parallel with the iirst; each contact of one set being connected with the corresponding Contact ofthe other set @nhe Opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the coupler so that the contact on the extreme end of one row is connected to the contact on the opposite end of the other row; the cross connections being through suitable wires, 7. Between the two rows of stationary contacts is arranged a platform or table, 8, of insulating material, the table or' platform being at approximately the plane of the upper iaces of the stationary contacts, 5 and t3. The two rows of contacts, 5 and 6, are arranged in rear of the front end of the housing so as to provide room in the front end ot the housing for a second table or platiorm, 9, of insulating material on which are placed a series ot contact strips, 10, extending longitudinally of the coupler', one in front ot' each of the stationary contacts, (S. ln each casing or housing is a sliding plate, 12, provided with bow-shaped yieldable contact fingers, 13, on the under side. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the plate, 12, has on the under side a layer of' insulating material, 1&1-, grooved longitudinally as indicated at 15, directly above each of the stationary contact strips,1(l. Each of the grooves has a seat and a locator for one of the contact lingers. Normally, in the idle position or" the coupler the contact lingers are positioned as shown in Fig. l namely, they rest at one ond upon a table or platform, 8, of insulating material and at the other end upon the corresponding conducting strips, 10. Each of the contact-carrying plates is adapted to4 be projected 'through the front end of the corresponding coupler into a co-operating coupler as will hereinafter be described, through an elongated pening or slot, 16. rlhis opening` or slot is normally closed by means of a thickened. pari', 17, along the front edge of the plate, which thickened part is preferably in the form a bar of insulating material such as rubber, said bar just i'iilling the slot through which the plate is adapted to pass and thus closing-the slot when the parts are in their normal idle positions. ln order to make a coupling connection after two of the couplers have been brought together', one of the contact-carrying plates is moved outwardly and, pushing the corresponding member of the other coupler ahead of it, enters the other coupler head as shown in Fig. 9. rlhe contact-carrying plate of either of two co-operating couplers may be moved out, it being immaterial Which; for when either of the plates is moved outwardlyrthe other is pushed inwardly thereby. In Fig. 9 the contact-carrying plate in the left hand coupler is shown projected into the interior of the housing of the right hand coupler.

It will be seen that whenpthe parts are in this condition each movable contact linger of. the left hand coupler bridges the gap between one oie the corresponding stationary contacts, 6, and one of the stationary contact strips, .10, in the opposite head. it the saine time each movable contact linger in the right hand head extends from one of the stationary contact strips, 10, to one of the stationary contacts, 5. ln other words, each stationary contact in the front row of one coupler is electrically connected with the correspondingly placed stationary contact in the rear row of the other coupler and, by reason of the cross connections betnf'een the rows of stationary contacts in each coupler, there will always be obtained the proper connection between each circuit on one car or vehicle and the corresponding circuit on the other car or vehicle.

The means for supporting the contactcarrying plate are perhaps best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and Referring to these iigures it will be seen that supported in the housing above the plate are two parallel rods, 19 and 20', arranged at opposite sides of the housing and extendinffu in the longitudinal direction. The plate has four upwardly-projecting ears arranged in pairs, 21 and 22, the rod, 19, extending through one pair of ears and the rod, 20, extending through the other pair so that the rods serve as guides from which the plate is hung. The top of the casing or housing has downwardly-pra jecting stop lugs, arranged in pairs, 23 and 24, in the vicinity of the rods 19 and 20. rlhe lugs, 23 and 24, of each pair are spaced apart a dstance equal to the spacing between the corresponding ears, 21 and 22, on the contact-carrying plate. Surrounding each of the rods, 19 and 20, between the ears 21 and 22, is a coiled spring, 25. At the ends oi! the coiled springs are follower plates, 26, so proportioned that each follower plate may simultaneously engage with one of the stop lugs, 23, and the corresponding ear on the contact-carrying plate. For convenience in assembly and in taking apart the coupler for inspection or repair, l prefer to mount the follower plates, 2G, of each set upon a sleeve, 27, which tits over the corresponding` supporting shaft and is long enough to extend through the corresponding ears, 21 and 22. lVith this arangement, whenever one otl the rods, 19 or 20, is removed, the follower plates and spring arc still kopt in operative relation to the ears on the contact plz-ite. The parts are so proportioned that the springs, 25, tend constantly to hold the con tact plate in its idle or neutral position as illustrated in Fig. 3. lllhenever the plate is moved in one direction or the other, a. compression of the springs takes place so that whenever the moving force is released the springs return the plate to the neutral position. The movement of the contact-carrying plate against the tension of the springs may be eected in any suitable way. in the arrangement shown, best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9, there extends inwardly from ton, it drives the piston forward and theV contact-carrying plate outwardly against the tension of the springs. Tt is desirable that the coupler be locked when not in operative relation to another coupler so that the contact-carrying plate cannot be projected outwardly except when there is another coupler to receive it. This may conveniently be accomplished by providing in the passageway, 31, through which air is supplied to the cylinder 28 a valve, 32, which is normally closed; this valve lying directly be-v 1uind the rea-r end of the supporting rod, 19, which rod is therefore made movable in the longitudinal direction and allowed to project a short distance from the front end of the coupler. Consequently, when a coupler is in an idle condition, the valve, 39', is closed and no air can reach the actuating cylinder'. However, when two couplers come together shown in Fig. 9, the valve, 32, of'each of the couplers is opened so that air may be allowed to flow into the actuating cylinder of either of the two couplers which may be selected. l

lt is desirable that after a` coupling con'- nection has been made it be maintained vindependently of the pressure .in the actuating cylinder. I have therefore 'provided a catch which will lock the contact-carrying plate in its forwardly-projected position.r This locking device is best shown in Figs. 4.-', 6 and 8. Extending lengthwise through the up `er part of the housing is an air conduit, 33, in the bottom wall of which is an upwardly-extending cylindrical flange, 34, forming short open top cylinder' having a hole, 35, extending through the bottom thereof. (ln the rear end of the plate, 12, is a spring-held dog or finger, 36, held pressed upwardly against the conduit 33 and in the same longitudinal plane as the hole 35.

When the plate is .moved forwardly to a coupling position, the free end of the locl ing dog' or linger rises upwardly into the hole 35 and thus serves to lock the )late against movement either in the forward direction. or toward the rear. ln the cylinder, 341-, is a piston, 37, having on the under side a proj ecj tion. which normally, as shown in Figjfl, entends 'downwardly through the hole 35. It will be seen that if air is admitted'into the conduit 33 at a time when the piston 37 in the left hand coupler is being held up by the locking` dog, the piston will be forced down, carryii'ig'the locking dog with it until the latter is entirely released and permits the springs associated with the contactcarrying plate to return the latter to is .neutral position. i 7

The conduit, 33, terminates at its front end in a suitable compressible nozzle or outlet, 39, which, when it contacts with the corresponding member on another coupler, makes an air-tight joint between the two conduits in theI couplers. Therefore, when air is admitted into one of the conduits it immediately flows into the other. rlhe air which releases the electric coupler may also be utilized to unlock the car or vehicle coupler. However, it is desirable to delay the unlocking of the car or vehicle coupler until the electric couplers have been placed in their neutral conditions. This may conveniently be accomplished by employing a branch conduit, 40, to carry air. from the conduit, 33, to the unlocking cylinder of the car coupler; the supply of air tothe branch conduit, l0, being under the control of the movable contact-carrying plate. In the arrangement shown, there is arranged between the conduit 33 and the branch conduit'a valve, 4-1, which tends constantly to seat itself so as to close communication between the main conduit and the branch. valve has a stem, 42, projecting downwardly into the path of travel of a part of the dog or catch, 35, and adapted to be engagedr by the latter when the contact-carrying plate is in its neutral position, for the purpose of lifting the valve from its seat as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Therefore, whenever the contact-carrying plate is in its neutral position, air may flow into the branch conduit, 41, and from there through a suitable pipe such as indicated at 43 in Fig. 1, to the unlocking cylinder, 2, of the car or vehicle coupler. Vv'henever two of the electrical couplers are in coupled relation, as illu."-

Vtrated in Fig. 9, the forward movement of one of the contact-carrying` plates carries lthe corresponding` dog forwardly of the coras to leave the corresponding valve free to close. When theA parts are in this position, the admission of air .into the conduit, 33, does not act immediately to release the car or vehicle couplers but iirst causes that dog which is in locking position to be rel ,l, so as vto permit the contact-car ying pates to be automatically restored to their neutral positions, whereupon both of thevalvcs lil will be opened and air will pass to the respective vcar or vehicle couplers.

Air is supplied from any suitable source to the air chamber, 31, and the conduit, 33, through suitable pipes, and L16, rcspectively, which may extend into the vestibule of or other convenient point in a car or vehicle where suitable manual controlling valves, al' and 4,18, are provided. TheA valve,

4l?, should be so constructed that when it is closed, alter having admitted air to the chamber 3l and the cylinder 28 and causing the piston and the contact-carrying plate to move forwardly, the said chamber and cylinder will be placed in communication with atmosphere and release the pressure in the cylinder. 'Therefore when the contact-carrying plate is returned to neutral by the springs when uncoupling there will be no pressure in the cylinder to oppose 1t. Furthermore, when the contact-carrying plate is pushed inwardly by the corresponding member oli a co-operating coupler while two couplers are in contact with each other, no opposing pressure will be created in its actu-I ating cylinder to retard the `movement oi' the plate. The valve 47, as illustrated, is provided with a port, 47a, lor this purpose.

The valve, 48, also, when closed, should exhaust to atmosphere the chamber, namely the conduit 33, which it supplies with air. It is shown as having a port, 4S, for 'this purpose. Consequently, it there is any leakage of air through the valve which `might otherwise build up sufficient pressure in the conduit, 33, to elfect an uncoupling, such leaking air would simply escape to atmosphere and not cause any damage.

The electrical conductors which it is the object of the electric couplers to connect lnay be led into the corresponding casing or housing through a suitable conduit, 49, opening into the casing or housing just in rear ot' the row of stationary contacts, 5. If desired, the housing may be provided, near the lower edge of the front end, with a transerse packing strip, 50, of rubber or other suitable material which, when two couplers are brought together, will engage with the corresponding strip of the other coupler and thus malte a tight joint between the two which will prevent the entrance bctween the meeting ends ot' the couplers of dirt or grit thrown up from the roadbed While a train is in motion.

In case there should happen to be snowl or ice on the outer end of a contact-carrying plate, l2, when it is inserted into a cooperating coupler, the water produced by the melting ot the snow or ice would collect on the platform, 9, ot the latter coupler and might shortcircuit the contact strips, l0, thereon. In Fig. ll I have illustrated an arrangement adapted to avoid this objection. Instead ol' having simple straight contact strips resting on the top of the plat form, I place the strips, 60, underneath the platform, 6l, and bring the two ends up over the top; the strips being short enough that a space will be left between the ends of each. In the top ot the platform, between the two groups ot strip ends is formed a groove, 62, into which any water shed by the contact-carrying plates may run without danger of shortcircuiting the Contact strips.

`While I have illustrated and described with particular-ity only a single preferred form of my invention, I do not desire to be limited to the exact structural details thus illustrated and described; but intend to cover all forms and arrangements which come within the terms employed in the definitions of my invention constituting the appended claims.

I claim: l. In an electric coupler, two transverse rows of stationary contacts arranged parallel with each other and at some distance apart, said stationary contacts being cross connected in the opposite order of their positions in the rows, a series of stationary contact strips equal in number to the contacts in each row, arranged longitudinally in front of the front row of stationary contacts, a contact-carrying plate having thereon a series of pairs of electrically connected contact lingers corresponding in number and disposition transversely of the coupler to said strips, the contact lingers of each pair being so positioned and proportioned that in a neutral position of the plate the front linger rests on one of said strips and the .rear yfinger lies between the two rows of stationary contacts while in a second position of the plate the rearmost contact linger engages with one of the stationary contacts in the rear row and the forward contact linger engages with the corresponding contact strip, while in a third position of the plate the rearmost linger of each pair rests upon one of the stationary contacts of the front row and the front finger projects far enough beyond the front end of said housing to engage with one of the contact a co-Operating coupler lying in coupling relation thereto.

2. In an electric coupler, two transverse rows of stationary contacts arranged parallel with each other and at some distance apart, said stationary contacts being cross connected in the opposite order olf their positions in the rows, a series of stationary contact strips equal in number to the contacts in each row, arranged longitudinally in front ot the front row ot stationary contacts, a contact-carrying plate arranged above said stationary contact members and having thereon a series ot pairs of electrically connected Contact fingers corresponding in number and disposition transversely of the coupler to said strips, the contact fingers of each pair being so positioned and proportioned that in a neutral position of the plate the front linger rests on one of said strips and the rear finger lies between the two rows of stationary contacts while in a second position of thc plate the rearmost contact linger engages with strips in one of the stationary contacts in the rear row and the forward contact finger engages with the corresponding contact strip, while in a third position of the plate the rearmost finger of each pair rests upon one of the stationary contacts of the front row and the front finger projects far enough beyond the front end of said housing to engage with one of the contact strips in a co-operating coupler lying in coupling relation thereto. y

3. In an electric coupler, two series of stationary contacts` equal in number arranged in separate parallel transverse rows, a table of insulating material lying between said rows and at approximately the same level as the plane of the tops of the stationary contacts, the contacts of one row being cross connected to those of the other row in the opposite order of their positions in the rows, a series of contact strips equal in number to the stationary contacts in each row arranged in front of said stationary contacts and extending in the longitudinal direction, each in alignment with two stationary contacts in said rows, said contact strips being in approximately the same horizontal plane as said table, a contact-carrying plate arranged above said stationary con' tacts and having a series of pairs of contact fingers arranged on the under side thereof, the fingers of each pair being electrically connected together and being located in the same vertical plane as one of the contact strips, and the contact faces of the fingers of each pair being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction for a distance such that in a neutral position of the plate one of the fingers of each pair rests on said table and the other finger rests on one of said strips, while 'in a second position of said plate one of said fingersrests upon one of the stationary contacts in the rearmost row and the corresponding finger rests on one of said Contact strips, while in the third position of said plate one of the fingers rests upon one of the contacts in the front row while the corresponding finger is progected forward far enough to engage with one of the contact strips in another coupler lying arranged in front of the stationary contacts and extending in the longitudinal direction, each in alignment with two stationary contacts in said rows, a contact-carrying plate arranged above said stationary contacts and having a series of pairs of contact fingers arranged on the under side thereof, the

fingers of each pair being electrically connected together and being located in the same vertical plane as one of the contact strips, and the contact faces of the fingers of each pair being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction for a distance 'such that in a neutral position of the plate one of the fingers of each pair rests on said table and the other finger rests on one of said strips, while in a second posi.- tion of said plate one of said fingers rests upon one of the stationary contacts in the rearmost row and the corresponding finger rests on one of said contact strips, while in the third position of said plate one of the fingers rests upon one of the contacts in the front row while the corresponding finger is projected forward far enough to engage with one of the contact strips in another coupler lying in proximity thereto.

In testimony whereof, I

fication.

HERBERT E. VAN DORN.

sign this specir 

